Astm G57 (2012)
Astm G57 (2012)
Astm G57 (2012)
for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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FIG. 1 Typical Connections for Use of Soil Box with Various Types of Instruments
A = cross sectional area of the container perpendicular to the 5.1.3 Voltmeter—The voltmeter shall not draw appreciable
current flow, cm2, and current from the circuit to avoid polarization effects. A galva-
a = inner electrode spacing, cm. nometer type of movement is preferred but an electronic type
instrument will yield satisfactory results if the meter input
NOTE 1—The spacing between the inner electrodes should be measured
from the inner edges of the electrode pins, and not from the center of the
impedance is at least 10 megaohm.
electrodes. 5.1.4 Electrodes fabricated from mild steel or martensitic
stainless steel 0.475 to 0.635 cm (3⁄16 to 1⁄4 in.) in diameter and
4. Significance and Use 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 ft) in length are satisfactory for most field
4.1 Measurement of soil resistivity is used for the control of measurements. Both materials may require heat treatment so
corrosion of buried structures. Soil resistivity is used both for that they are sufficiently rigid to be inserted in dry or gravel
the estimation of expected corrosion rates and for the design of soils. The electrodes should be formed with a handle and a
cathodic protection systems. As an essential design parameter terminal for wire attachment.
for cathodic protection systems, it is important to take as many 5.1.5 Wiring, 18 to 22-gage insulated stranded copper wire.
measurements as necessary so as to get a sufficiently represen- Terminals should be of good quality to ensure that low-
tative characterization of the soil environment that the entire resistance contact is made at the electrodes and at the meter.
buried structure will experience. Where regular surveys are to be made at fixed electrode
spacing, a shielded multiconductor cable can be fabricated with
5. Apparatus terminals permanently located at the required intervals.
5.1 At-Grade Measurements in situ: 5.2 Soil Sample Measurement:
5.1.1 The equipment required for field resistivity measure- 5.2.1 The equipment required for the measurement of the
ments to be taken at grade consists of a current source, a resistivity of soil samples, either in the field or in the
suitable voltmeter, ammeter, or galvanometer, four metal laboratory, is identical to that needed for at-grade measure-
electrodes, and the necessary wiring to make the connections ments except that the electrodes are replaced with an inert
shown in Fig. 2. container containing four permanently mounted electrodes (see
5.1.2 Current Source—An ac source, usually 97 Hz, is Fig. 1).
preferred since the use of dc will cause polarization of most 5.2.2 If the current-carrying (outside) electrodes are not
metal electrodes, resulting in error. The current can be provided spaced at the same interval as the potential-measuring (inside)
by either a cranked ac generator or a vibrator-equipped dc electrodes, the resistivity, ρ, is:
source. An unaltered dc source can be used if the electrodes are
abraded to bright metal before immersion, polarity is regularly
reversed during measurement, and measurements are averaged
ρ, Ω·cm 5 95.76 b R/ 1 2 S b
b1a D (5)
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b = outer electrode spacing, ft, boulders, concrete foundations, and so forth, which are not
a = inner electrode spacing, ft, and representative of the soil of interest, in the electrode span.
R = resistance, Ω. Conductive structures such as pipes and cables should not be
or: within 1⁄2 a of the electrode span unless they are at right angles
to the span.
ρ, Ω·cm 5 πb R/ 1 2 S b
b1a D (6) 7.1.2 Select electrode spacings with regard to the structure
of interest. Since most pipelines are installed at depths of from
where: 1.5 to 4.5 m (5 to 15 ft), electrode spacings of 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5
b = outer electrode spacing, cm m (5, 10, and 15 ft) are commonly used. The a spacing should
a = inner electrode spacing, cm, and equal the maximum depth of interest. To facilitate field
R = resistance, Ω. calculation of resistivities, spacings of 1.58, 3.16, and 4.75 m
(5.2, 10.4, and 15.6 ft), which result in multiplication factors of
5.2.3 The dimensions of the box can be established so that
1000, 2000, and 3000, can be used when a d-c vibrator-
resistivity is read directly from the voltmeter without further
galvanometer instrument is used.
calculation. The box should be readily cleanable to avoid
contamination by previous samples. 7.1.3 Impress a voltage across the outer electrodes. Measure
the voltage drop across the inner electrodes and record both the
6. Standardization current and voltage drop if a separate ammeter and voltmeter
are used. Where a resistivity meter is used, read the resistance
6.1 Periodically check the accuracy of resistance meters
directly and record.
using a commercial resistance decade box. Meter error should
not exceed 5 % over the range of the instrument. If error 7.1.4 Make a record of electrode spacing, resistance or
exceeds this limit, prepare a calibration curve and correct all amperes and volts, date, time, air temperature, topography,
measurements accordingly. A soil box can be calibrated using drainage, and indications of contamination to facilitate subse-
solutions of known resistivity. Solutions of sodium chloride quent interpretation.
and distilled water with resistivities of 1000, 5000, and 10 000 7.2 Soil Sample Measurement:
Ω·cm are recommended for this purpose. These solutions 7.2.1 Soil samples should be representative of the area of
should be prepared under laboratory conditions using a com- interest where the stratum of interest contains a variety of soil
mercial conductivity meter, itself calibrated to standard solu- types. It is desirable to sample each type separately. It will also
tions at 20°C (68°F).2 be necessary to prepare a mixed sample. The sample should be
reasonably large and thoroughly mixed so that it will be
7. Field Procedures representative. The soil should be well-compacted in layers in
7.1 At-Grade Measurements: the soil box, with air spaces eliminated as far as practicable.
7.1.1 Select the alignment of the measurement to include Fill the box flush to the top and take measurements as
uniform topography over the limits of the electrode span. Do previously detailed (7.1.3). The meter used may limit the upper
not include large nonconductive bodies such as frozen soil, range of resistivity, which can be measured. In such cases, the
resistivity should be recorded as <10 000 Ω·cm, and so forth.
2
Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 41st ed., The Chemical Rubber Co., p. 7.2.2 The measured resistivity will be dependent on the
2606. degree of compaction, moisture content, constituent solubility,
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FIG. 3 Nomogram or Conversion Chart for Reducing Soil Paste Resistance in ohms at a Particular Temperature as Measured in the Bu-
reau of Soils Cup, to Resistance at 15.6°C (60°F)
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use pedological surveys in the planning and interpretation of TABLE 1 Statistics from Multi-participant Evaluation of Wenner
any extensive survey. Measurements could be made in each Four Electrode Soil Resistivity MeasurementA
Site No. 1 Site No. 3
soil classification under a variety of drainage conditions to
simplify survey planning. Electrode spacing, m 6.1 1.5
Average measured resistance 10.9 62.6
8.1.2 If resistivity information is required to assess the Average resistivity, Ω - cm 41 700 59 900
requirement for corrosion control measures, it is recommended Repeatability standard deviation, Ω - cm 2 300 4 700
Repeatability coefficient variation, Cv, % 5.5 7.8
that the tests be made on a true random basis. Since the number Reproducibility standard deviation, S, Ω - cm 6 900 10 000
of soil sections that could be inspected is essentially unlimited, Reproducibility coefficient of variation, Cv, % 16.5 16.6
infinite population characteristics can be used to simplify A
Evaluation in Chester, New Jersey on May 28, 1993. Triplicate soil resistivity
statistical treatment. Risk and error must be arbitrarily selected measurements by seven participants each using different meters.
to allow determination of the number of measurements. A risk
of 5 % of an error greater than 100 Ω·cm should be suitable for
most situations. The error limit should be about 10 % of the strata. More precise procedures may be employed in laboratory
anticipated mean resistivity. Where mean or median values investigations and these should be defined in reporting the
cannot be estimated with reasonable accuracy, sequential results. Where resistivity information is included in published
sampling techniques can be employed. information, the measurement techniques used should be
defined.
8.2 Interpretation—Interpretation of the results of resistivity
surveys will largely depend on the experience of the persons 10. Precision and Bias
concerned. The mean and median resistivity values will indi- 10.1 Precision—The precision of this test method was
cate the general corrosivity of the soil. Sharp changes in determined by a statistical evaluation of a multi-participant
resistivity with distance and appreciable variations in moisture evaluation with each participant using a different meter. The
content and drainage are indicative of local severe conditions. data from this evaluation are available from ASTM in a
Cumulative probability plots will indicate the homogeneity of research report. A summary of these data is given in Table 1.
the soil over the area or route and will indicate the probability 10.1.1 Repeatability—Repeatability refers to the variation
of severe, moderate, and minimal corrosion of the various in results obtained by the same operator with the same
construction materials. Available pedological data should be equipment and same operating conditions in successive runs.
used to facilitate interpretation. In the case of soil resistivity measurements, the repeatability
may be characterized by a coefficient of variation, Cv, repre-
9. General senting the repeatability standard deviation divided by the
9.1 It should be recognized that subsurface conditions can average result and expressed in percent. The multi-participant
vary greatly in a short distance, particularly where other buried test program results indicate a repeatability Cv of 6.7 %. The
structures have been installed. Surface contamination tends to 95 % confidence interval is 2.8 Cv or 18.8 %.
concentrate in existing ditches with surface run-off, apprecia- 10.1.2 Reproducibility—Reproducibility refers to the varia-
bly lowering the resistivity below the natural level. Since a tion in results that occurs when different operators measure the
pipeline ditch cannot be included in the span of at-grade same soil. In the case of soil resistivity measurements repro-
measurements, soil box samples should be obtained where the ducibility may be characterized by a coefficient of variation,
opportunity exists. To evaluate contamination effects when a Cv, representing the reproducibility standard deviation divided
new route is being evaluated, soil samples can be obtained at by the average result and expressed in percent. The multi-
crossings of existing pipelines, cables, etc., or by intentional participant test program results indicate a reproducibility Cv of
sampling using soil augers. 16.6 %. The 95 % confidence interval is 2.8 Cv or 46.5 %.
9.2 Other field resistivity measurement techniques and 10.2 Bias—The procedure in Test Method G57 for measur-
equipment are available. These commonly use two electrodes ing soil resistivity by the Wenner Four Pin Method has no bias
mounted on a prod that is inserted in the soil-at-grade in an because the value of Wenner Four Pin soil resistivity is defined
excavation or a driven or bored hole. The two-electrode only in terms of this test method.
technique is inherently less accurate than the four-electrode
method because of polarization effects, but useful information 11. Keywords
can be obtained concerning the characteristics of particular 11.1 four electrodes method; soil resistivity
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